Winter time calls for a hot drink in your hand and this homemade healthier hot chocolate is perfect to enjoy alongside those decadent cookies. Grab a blanket and cozy up with this delicious hot cocoa!
Skip the store bought cocoa mix and make your own healthier hot chocolate! This recipe for hot chocolate is lower in calories, refined sugar free and absolutely delicious.
The best part is that you more than likely have everything you need right in your pantry!
Made with wholesome ingredients like unsweetened almond milk and maple syrup, it will satisfy your hot chocolate craving without packing in the calories. You will often find me sipping a cup of this at night during the winter months and not feeling guilty one bit!
Don’t forget to top it with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Yum!
Ingredients for Healthier Hot Chocolate
- Unsweetened Almond Milk – plain or vanilla will work here. You could also use another unsweetened dairy free milk like cashew or oat.
- Cocoa Powder – If you like milk chocolate, go with regular unsweetened cocoa powder. However, if you are like me and love dark chocolate, use a dark cocoa powder, like Hershey’s Special Dark (unsweetened, of course).
- Pure Maple Syrup – I keep this hot chocolate refined sugar free by using maple syrup. It is so delicious in this recipe!
- Vanilla – optional if you are using vanilla almond milk.
- Salt – It may seem odd to add salt, but just a pinch helps the flavors pop!
- Cinnamon Stick – Ground cinnamon tends to float. Using a cinnamon stick infuses the cinnamon flavor right into the milk.
Directions to make healthier hot chocolate
In a small saucepan whisk together the maple syrup and cocoa powder. This will form a chocolate syrup. It may take a minute for it to all incorporate. Just keep whisking!
Place the saucepan with chocolate syrup over medium-low heat and whisk in the almond milk, vanilla and dash of salt.
Add the cinnamon stick
Whisk occasionally, to prevent burning, until the milk is heated through. No need to bring it to a boil, we’re just looking for it to get nice and steamy. About 5-7 minutes.
Remove the cinnamon stick.
Pour into a mug and enjoy! You can add the cinnamon stick as a garnish or discard. Your choice!
Optional toppings
- Whipped cream
- Ground cinnamon
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate shavings
- Mini candy canes
- Sprinkles
Homemade Healthy Hot Chocolate
Skip the store bought cocoa mix and make your own healthier hot
chocolate! This recipe for hot chocolate is lower in calories, refined
sugar free and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Almond Milk, unsweetened
- 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
- 3 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- 1 Cinnamon stick
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the maple syrup and cocoa powder to form a chocolate syrup.
- Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and whisk in the almond milk, vanilla and salt.
- Add the cinnamon stick.
- Whisk occasionally until the milk is heated through. About 5 minutes
- Remove the cinnamon stick (discard or keep for garnish)
- Pour into mug, add optional toppings, garnish with cinnamon stick.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 136Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 72mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 19gProtein: 2g
The nutrition data provided is only an estimate.
Did you make this recipe? Have any questions? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!
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